Refuse Definition and Meaning
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Published on May 30, 2024
Refuse refers to decline to accept or allow something. e.g., She refused the offer despite the high salary.
Table of Contents
Refuse Definitions
To indicate unwillingness to do something.
He refused to answer the question.
To not allow or permit.
The club refused entry to those without a ticket.
To reject an offer or proposal.
They refused our invitation to the party.
To deny a request or demand.
The manager refused their request for a raise.
To choose not to use or consume.
For health reasons, she refused to eat sugar.
To withhold agreement or consent.
The jury refused to convict, citing lack of evidence.
To indicate unwillingness to do, accept, give, or allow
She was refused admittance. He refused treatment.
To indicate unwillingness (to do something)
Refused to leave.
To decline to jump (an obstacle). Used of a horse.
To decline to do, accept, give, or allow something.
Items or material discarded or rejected as useless or worthless; trash or rubbish.
Discarded, rejected.
Collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.
(obsolete) refusal
(transitive) To decline (a request or demand).
My request for a pay rise was refused.
(intransitive) To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.
I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused.
(military) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the centre, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular alignment when troops are about to engage the enemy.
To refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks
To disown.
To melt again.
To deny, as a request, demand, invitation, or command; to decline to do or grant.
That never yet refused your hest.
To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the center, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular aligment when troops ar about to engage the enemy; as, to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks.
To decline to accept; to reject; to deny the request or petition of; as, to refuse a suitor.
The cunning workman never doth refuseThe meanest tool that he may chance to use.
To disown.
To deny compliance; not to comply.
Too proud to ask, too humble to refuse.
If ye refuse . . . ye shall be devoured with the sword.
Refusal.
That which is refused or rejected as useless; waste or worthless matter.
Refused; rejected; hence; left as unworthy of acceptance; of no value; worthless.
Everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
Show unwillingness towards;
He declined to join the group on a hike
Refuse to accept;
He refused my offer of hospitality
Elude, especially in a baffling way;
This behavior defies explanation
Refuse to let have;
She denies me every pleasure
He denies her her weekly allowance
Resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ;
His body rejected the liver of the donor
Refuse entrance or membership;
They turned away hundreds of fans
Black people were often rejected by country clubs
To decline to accept something offered.
She refused the package because it was damaged.
To reject with disdain or contempt.
He refused the idea with a scoff.
To decline to grant or give.
The government refused aid to the rebel-held areas.
To turn down an opportunity.
He refused the chance to travel abroad for work.
Refuse Snonyms
Reject
To dismiss as inadequate, unacceptable, or faulty.
The publisher rejected the manuscript for being too controversial.
Repudiate
To refuse to accept or be associated with.
She repudiated the rumors about her.
Decline
To politely turn down an offer or invitation.
She declined the invitation due to prior commitments.
Deny
To state that something declared is not true.
He denied the allegations against him.
Turn down
To reject or decline an offer or suggestion.
They turned down the deal, believing it was not profitable enough.
Spurn
To reject or refuse with hostility.
He spurned their offer, feeling it was beneath him.
Withhold
To refuse to give (something that is due to or is desired by another).
The company withheld his bonus due to poor performance.
Forsake
To abandon or leave altogether.
He forsake his homeland in search of a better life.
Disallow
To officially refuse to allow something.
The court disallowed the evidence as it was obtained illegally.
Rebuff
To reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner.
The proposal was rebuffed by the board of directors.
Refuse Example Sentences
Even in the face of adversity, she would refuse to give up.
Despite the incentives offered, he chose to refuse the job offer.
They refuse to compromise on their principles, no matter the pressure.
Why do you refuse to see things from a different perspective?
The software will refuse to update if your system isn't compatible.
The gatekeeper will refuse entry to anyone without a valid ticket.
She would refuse to answer any questions without her lawyer present.
To refuse an offer of peace could escalate tensions further.
The committee might refuse our proposal if we don't present it well.
After much deliberation, they decided to refuse the settlement.
Many restaurants refuse to serve customers without a reservation.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink, just as some people refuse help.
It's important to understand why some individuals refuse to follow community guidelines.
If you refuse to adapt, you might be left behind in this fast-paced world.
The bank may refuse to grant a loan if the applicant has a poor credit history.
Common Curiosities
What is the first form of refuse?
The first form is "refuse."
What is the third form of refuse?
The third form is "refused."
Why is it called refuse?
It is called "refuse" because it denotes the act of declining, rejecting, or not accepting something.
How do we divide refuse into syllables?
Refuse is divided into syllables as re-fuse.
What is a stressed syllable in refuse?
The stressed syllable in "refuse" can vary; in the noun form, it's on the second syllable "fuse", but in the verb form, it's on the first syllable "re".
How is refuse used in a sentence?
e.g., Despite the pressure, she refused to give up.
What part of speech is refuse?
"Refuse" is both a verb (to decline or reject) and a noun (waste material).
What is the singular form of refuse?
As a verb, "refuse" does not change; as a noun, it is still "refuse."
How many syllables are in refuse?
There are two syllables in "refuse."
What is another term for refuse?
Another term for "refuse" (verb) is "decline."
Is refuse an abstract noun?
As a noun, "refuse" refers to tangible objects (trash), so it is not abstract.
What is the verb form of refuse?
The verb form is "refuse" itself.
What is the pronunciation of refuse?
As a verb, it is pronounced /rɪˈfjuːz/; as a noun, /ˈrɛfjuːs/.
What is the root word of refuse?
The root word of "refuse" comes from the Old French "refuser", meaning to reject.
What is the plural form of refuse?
The plural form of "refuse" (noun) is still "refuse."
Is refuse a vowel or consonant?
The word "refuse" starts with a consonant.
Is refuse a collective noun?
"Refuse" is not typically considered a collective noun.
Is the refuse term a metaphor?
"Refuse" can be used metaphorically to indicate rejection or denial.
Is the word refuse Gerund?
When used as -ing form, "refusing" would be a gerund.
Is the word “refuse” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Refuse" can be used as a verb where it may have a direct object, e.g., "She refused the offer."
Which vowel is used before refuse?
The use of a vowel or consonant before "refuse" depends on the sentence construction; no specific rule.
What is the second form of refuse?
The second form is "refused."
What is the opposite of refuse?
The opposite of "refuse" is "accept" or "agree."
Is refuse a noun or adjective?
"Refuse" can be a noun (meaning waste material) and a verb but not an adjective.
Which conjunction is used with refuse?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used in sentences involving "refuse."
Is the word refuse imperative?
"Refuse" can be used in the imperative mood as a verb.
Which determiner is used with refuse?
As a noun, determiners like "some" or "the" can be used with "refuse," depending on context.
Which preposition is used with refuse?
Prepositions such as "to" are commonly used with "refuse," e.g., "refuse to comply."
Which article is used with refuse?
The article "the" can be used when "refuse" is a noun referring to waste, e.g., "the refuse."
Is refuse an adverb?
No, "refuse" is not an adverb.
Is refuse a negative or positive word?
"Refuse" is generally considered a negative word due to its connotations of denial or rejection.
Is refuse a countable noun?
As a noun, "refuse" is uncountable when referring to waste material.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
